Welcome to the Schlenoff Group at Florida State University

Schlenoff Group - Fall 2014

Chemistry and Biochemistry Department - FSU

Chemistry and Biochemistry Department - FSU

Polymer and Materials Science

About us

Innovative concepts are the driving force behind our research. We use polyelectrolytes to make new materials and to stimulate new responses at the biological interface. Our methods focus on practical ways to coax extraordinary behavior from familiar materials.

Saloplastics

Imagine melting polymers with salt instead of heat! Polyelectrolyte complexes were thought to be unprocessable for decades. But we recently found that when you add enough salt you break the ion pairs between polyelectrolytes and you can process them.

Polyelectrolyte Multilayers

These are ultrathin films made from water-soluble polymers: negative and positive polyelectrolytes. If you dip a subtrate in these nontoxic polymers alternately, a uniform film builds up.. a few nanometers at a time. The result offers numerous applications.

Biomaterials Interface

All cell culture is performed in our state of the art BSL-2 level biosafety room. The superb imaging facilities and staining expertise enable us to capture detailed pictures of the extraordinary machinery within a cell as it responds to our multilayers.
For our bio-work we enjoy a long-standing collaboration with cell biologist Prof. Tom Keller in the Department of Biological Sciences. Learn more about Prof. Tom Keller.

11/14/15: Dr. Schlenoff won the Garnet & Gold Key's Ross Oglesby Award “for his reflection of the highest ideals of leadership, scholarship and service towards students and an unparalleled commitment to the Florida State University.”